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The Catholic Church mourns Pope Francis’s passing, and there has been a lot of speculation over his successor. Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea is trending as a possible next pope.
The 79-year-old conservative cardinal has gained significant attention on platforms like X, where supporters tout him as a defender of traditional Catholic values.
Cardinal Sarah, born June 15, 1945, in Ourous, Guinea, served as Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship from 2014 to 2021 and was a close ally of Pope Benedict XVI. Known for his staunch opposition to progressive reforms, including same-sex marriage and gender ideology, Sarah appeals to conservative factions within the Church. His book, The Power of Silence, and his vocal criticism of secularism have bolstered his reputation as a theological traditionalist.
Recent posts on X highlight Sarah as the “official candidate of the conservative faction,” with some calling him a potential “first Black pope” to lead the Church’s 1.4 billion followers. However, his age and rigid views may polarize cardinals, especially those aligned with Pope Francis’s reformist agenda, as 80% of the 138 voting cardinals were appointed by Francis. Analysts suggest frontrunners like Cardinal Pietro Parolin or Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, who share Francis’s vision, are more likely contenders.
While Sarah’s trending status reflects strong grassroots support, the secretive papal conclave, set to convene soon, will determine if his conservative stance can secure the two-thirds majority needed. For now, Sarah remains a polarizing yet prominent figure in the race for the papacy.
Also, Cardinal Francis Arinze, a 92-year-old Nigerian cardinal, is prompting discussions about whether he could become the first African pope in modern times.
